THE TENANTS of a business centre in Leigh are worried about their futures after their landlord has told them to move out.

Around 65 traders based at the Dragon Enterprise Centre in Stephenson Road received a letter on behalf of the landlord, Exion Services Limited and the centre that the building will close on Wednesday November 1.

Andy Walker, 67, of Marguerite Drive and the owner of Walkerreed, a printing company inside the centre has already started his search for a new base, 

Mr Walker first moved to the centre six years ago and has had the largest unit since July 2016.

He said: “We share the unit but it costs around £1,600 a month.

“I have just come back from looking at a new place but we cannot find anywhere big enough.

“We have Christmas coming up and it is one of our busiest times of year. We will survive it but it is a real pain having only four weeks to move out. Any profits we have made will be lost from the move.”

It cost Mr Walker £2,000 to move into the unit last year and the unit has only started running at a profit in recent months.

Mr Walker hoped that he would be able to remain in the unit for a longer period while he searches for a new unit.

He added: “Being able to stay here longer would give me more time to look. Even two months would give us time to find somewhere and get our machinery moved properly.”

The building which is in the process of being bought by South Essex College will remain closed for 22 months according to the tenants.

The Echo asked the head of marketing and communications at the college why the centre would be empty for that time, who replied that the landlord made the decision to empty the building during the interim period. The college do not own the building yet.

A statement from the college, said: “South Essex College has not spoken to the tenants and has not made any such statements to them regarding their occupancy.

"As previously stated, we would urge the tenants to address their questions and concerns to the appropriate party, which in this case will be their landlord.”